spawn
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Recorded since 1413; from Middle English spawne, spawnen, from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Old French espandre, from Latin expandere (“‘stretch out", "spread out’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɔːn
[edit] Verb
|
Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to spawn (third-person singular simple present spawns, present participle spawning, simple past and past participle spawned)
- (transitive) To produce and/or deposit (eggs) in water.
- (transitive) To generate, bring into being, especially non-mammalian beings in very large numbers.
- (transitive) To bring forth in general.
- (transitive) To induce (aquatic organisms) to spawn
- (transitive) To plant with fungal spawn
- (intransitive) To deposit (numerous) eggs in water.
- (intransitive) To reproduce, especially in large numbers.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Noun
|
Singular |
Plural |
spawn (plural spawn)
- The numerous eggs of an aquatic organism
- Mushroom mycelium prepared for (aided) propagation
- (by extension) Any germ or seed, even a figurative source; offspring
